Valve



Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES WYLIE G. WILSON, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

VALVE.

Application filed April 24, 1926, Serial No. 104,445. Renewed June 20, 1928.

This invention is a valve adapted for general application.

In the valve art, it is of fundamental importance that the seal effected by the valve be a tight seal and that the valve be capable of functioning at great number of times without becoming leaky, i.'e., it should be repetitive in character, while retaining its capacity to produce a tight seal.

In valve construction, the seal is effected by two cooperable sealing elements, one of which isgenerally fixed and the other movable. The former may be termed, for the purposes of the invention, the seat, and the latter, the sealing member.

Pursuant to the practices of the prior art, valve seals have been formed by bringing a rigid sealing member into engagement with a rigid seat, or by forming one of these elements of material which is permanently deformed or distorted in producing the s al, or by interposing a gasket, composed of permanently deformable material, intermediate the sealing member and its seat. In the first instance, difficulties are encountered inaccomplishing a tight seal because of irregularities in the two surfaces incident to their construction, to wear, to thepresence of foreign matter between them, or to other causes. In the second and third instances, the deformable bodies very soon become so permanently distorted, as a result of wear, physical deterioration or other cause, that they can no longer produce a tight seal. In all such prior art structures, frequent inspection and repairs, at very considerable annoyance and expense, are necessary in order to maintain tight valves.

lVith these considerations in mind, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a valve capable of effecting a tight seal throughout long periods of repetitive use and under operating conditions, whereunder the valves of the prior art become in effective after a relatively short period.

Another object of the 1nvent1on 1s to so c ustitute the sealing elements and so operate them, that they may be constructed economically and without that refined workmanship which is usually incident to the grinding of valves and valve seats so that they will cooperate perfectly. The present structures are such that, even though in their primary manufacture they may not be axially coincident with, relation to each other or of truly complementary shape, yet in the operation of the valve, they will adjust themselves to such irregularities and compensate for the same by reason of the material from which they are manufactured and the particular form employed in this.

connection.

Generally speaking, the valve of this invention embodies asealing element, which preferably, though not necessarily, constitutcs the valve seat. This sealing element is of annular form and of substantially V-shaped cross section. That to say, it embodies two coaxialhollow frusto conical sections, the outer periphery of one of which is integral with the inner periphery of the other, so that the element may be described as of composite hollow frusto conical form.

By a hollow frusto conical section, I meana frusto conical section which is hollowed out to provide a frusto conical shell.

I have discovered that a sealing element of this form will function with remarlmble efiiciency in theformation of a tight repetitive seal, when constituted. from materials which, for the purpose ofthis invention, are termed obdurate materials. By this term is meant materials which are bendable, but not easily bent, compressible, but not easily compressed, elastic, but not easily deformed. As examplesof obdurate material, I may mention, without excluding others, iron, steel, hard alloys (such as bronze), glass, ceramic materials, hard rubber and wood. These materials are in pronounced contradistinction to those, which may be termed non-obdiu'atef such as leather, asbestos, soft rubber, soft metals, etc.

The obdurate materials, when employed pursuant to this invention, are operated within their elastic limit, by which I mean that, when embodied in the form of a sealin element-and placed under stresses which tend to deform said element, incident to producing a seal, the element shall retain a positive tendency to resume its original form when the stresses are relieved.

I have further discovered thatif a seal ingelcment of unbrokel'iycom osite hollow frusto conical section isplacec under axial compression, which tends toflattenlit, the outer periphery Q of said composite H section will expand cross axially and its inner periphery will cross axially contract to bring either or both of said peripheries into engegenient with suitable coopcratingsealing elements; for the purpose ot producing a tight seal.

Unbroken, as used above may be defined as peripherally continuous; e, not slotted 01' formed into lingers.v

By axial compression, 1 mean pressure exerted upon the sealing element in u (lll'QC tion coaxial with or parallel to its :a 1, whereby its altitude is diminished and its Pfil'lPllQl'Ztl diameter increased.

Atte on is particularly dii'ected to the feet th the stressing out the obdui'ete sculing elen must be him the elastic limit thereof; otherwise sand element would not tend to :sunie (i. e tend to $13181 g becl to) its normal unsettling torin. Only an element in the sense of this invention comp: ed of obduiute material and embodying u sul stz ntizilly iiiusto conical configuration will thusptopei'l y tuncti-on.

The term elastic limit as e eyed the specification and cl-uimsol t ns :tpplic tion is so employed to designate that qua" I or characteristic of the conical towns of obd-ui'ate materiel employed which w en compressed Within predetermined limit and the: relieved of such compression, will cause said conical form to tend to return to flpplOlth inately its. original form and size. It is intended that such compression shall be Witl-iin and not beyond the tendency of said conical section to return to its original form and size. That is to say, it is intended that the degree of axial pressure enualeyed shall not be sufficient to; break down and destroy the resilient or reactive quality of the conical tot-m herein described. 011 the contrary, it is the purpose in practicing this invention that the degree of compression employed shell be limited to a degi'ee Where such i'eactive characteristic of said conical form will not be seriously atllected.

For a better uniderstuiidiug of the operattion. of the V shaped sealing element of this invention, it is suggested that each oi the hollow cones which enter into its construc tion function like atoggle. This analogy is, of course, not absolute, but when co sidered in that light it may be helpful to it clearer conception of the operation of the invention. When: force is applied to the elbow 01 a toggle, a greater force exerted at the ends of the toggle links-end this force increases in proportion as the axial c med sion of the toggle, relative to the d nice between the ends of the links, become less and less.

The sealing element of the present invention may be considered as functio ing like a multiplicity of toggles; that is y, there is a doubletoggle like action in each diametl'lC plane, and, obviously, there is an nfinite minibei' of toggles. When. the sealing element is compressed axially, thedimensions of such element and the proportioning of the obdurute material of which: it is composed, bring about, Within the element, the steadily increasing functional characteristics incidental to toggle action. This action results in at cross social or radial movem nt oil the settling element until. its peripheries are "forced into tight scaling engagement with cooperating s uts. The obduiute element, in either case, is so dimensioned and it suitable valve ring which is prelimubly inovebly secuicd coetiuilliy of the port which it is desired to seat or unsezil. The sealing; element is secured, to u seat i'i preferably by integrally tot-mine; the 1: l and element with the p31" uni ed at the apex of the f shaped sectio i of the el'i-uniu-it sothat both the inner end outer peripheries of said element ttlQ left tree for cougioint cooperation with the sealing; meme The inc member oi the who is p: Ierubly of rip-id construction and inoiuned on e suiteble valve stem to be moved zmlully oi.

gelgzemcnt with the The sealing ineiu set is preferably iifil'll'lii with en abutment tpted when on with the obdtute s member to pi elt further independent movement of the Fit lllf member in it settling direction, so that pi ii'e thereafter applied to force the soulin member in the direction oi? the will put-ice the hollow iyu io conical seut llltllllitl under axial coinpre i on for the pulp peripherally couti'scting its inner pe and expanding its outer pei iphi'ey into scaliiw; relation with suitable suppleinen ll sects formed on the settling member and COEDLiill With the peripheries of the sect inen'ibei.

The parts are so PLOPOIt lOlM-Ffl that the see-ii member may be readily moved into and out of coo' -aeintive relation with the seat member Without binding, but the it between the parts is suificiently close so when the seat member is m m y compressed, u

7:elatively small amount cross uxiul or:- pension and conti-a i i'equii'ml to etill] Joe

l fill iii - those adverted to, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a cross section of a valve embodying the present invention. In this view, the parts are shown in normal sealing relation; and,

Figure 2 is a fragmental view of the sealing elements of the valve of Figure 1 showing the sealing member slightly unseated from its seat.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a valve casing having a partition or diaphragm 2 in which is formed a port opening 3. The port opening 3 is threaded to receive the complementarily threaded seat ring :l through which there an axial passage. The seat ring is provided with a flange 5 adapted to seat upon the diaphragm adjacent the port opening 3 and a gasket 6is interposed between the parts to preclude leakl or1ned integrally with the seat ring and extending upwardly from the top thereof is a web 7 to which integrally united the obdurate seat member of this invention. As shown in the drawings, this seat member is designated broadly by the reference character 8 and is composed of two hollow frusto conical sections 9 and 10 positioned with the inner. periphery oi the former integral with the outer periphery of the latter, and both into ral with the web 7, so that said seat member is, in effect, V shaped in cross section. The outer periphery of the seat memher 8 is designated 11 and the inner periphery thereof is designated 12. Both of these peripheries are free and unobstructed.

The sealing member, which is designated 14, is carried by the valve stem 15 which is provided at its lower end with an enlargement 16. This enlargement seats in a pocket termed in a boss coaxial of the sealing member and a retaining nut 17 threads into the pocket for the purpose of securing the sealing element against inadvertent release from the valve stem. a

The valve casing 1 is provided .with a suitable bonnet 18 having thereon a yoke 19 through which the valve stem threads. The stem provided beyond the yoke, with a hand wheel 20, whereby it may be operated and a packing gland fllycooperates with the steinto preclude leakage at the point where the stem passes through the casing.

As shown in the drawings, the sealing member 14 is provided on its under side with an annular channel 22, the surface 23 of which constitutes an abutment and the coaxial annular 'taces 2% and of which constitute supplen'ientalseats and are uniformly spaced apart. Both of these supplemental seats are preferably substantially cylindrical, the diameter of the seat 24- being slightly greater than the outer diameter of the seat member 8 and the diameter of the surface 25 being slightly lessthan the inner diame stop the flow of fluid therethrough, the hand wheel is operated to axially move the valve stem in a direction to lower the sealing ele ment 14 into engagement with the seat member 8. This operation continues until the surface of abutment 23 of the sealing member engages with the upper edge of the obdurate seat member 8 and a further relative movement between the scaling member and tlie seat member in a sealing direction is precluded. lVhen thus positioned, the seat member will loosely occupy the channel of the sealing member as shown in Figure If, however, rotation of the hand wheel is continued and pressure applied to the seal ing member, thisypressnre will be imparted to the valve seat member 8 for the purpose of axially compressing said seat and decreasing its altitude. -This decrease in altitude will be accompanied by. a simultaneous cross axial expansion of itsouter periphery 11 into engagement with the supplemental seat 24, and there will siinulti'meously result a cross axial contraction of the inner periphery 12 of the valve seat member into engagement with the supplemental seat '25. .Thus, through stressing of the obdurate composite frusto conical seat member, its free edges or peripheries will be expanded and contracted into tight sealing relation with the supplemental seats 24 and 25 of the sealing member.

Slight irregularities in saidsupplemental seats or the peripheral edges of the scat member will not interfere with the production of a tight impervious seal und even though the cooperating parts may be slightly out of round or out of exact coaxial relation, the soul will nevi-irtheless result as the obdurate seat will compensate for such irreg'ir laritios. The relatively loose mounting of the scaling member on the valve stem further serves to permit proper cooperation of the parts in the formation of the tight seal de sired.

It will be noted that when the sealing member is moved into engagement with the scat l'ilBllllJQl at the commencement of the sealino' operation, the seat member 8 will enter lnl'o the channel of the sealing member and effect a primary closure prior to the actual stressing of the seat. 7 As this opera-- tion rapidly accomplished, the flow of fluid through the seat passage is quickly shut off and wire drawing; effects are minimized. V

I have found a result of exhaustive e2;- periinentation that by the employment of a hollow composite frusto conical seat member of obdurato material a repetitive eel is pro duced Without requiring the usual. grinding operations heretofore considered essential in the making of valves and valve seats. ilioroughly satisfactory results can be obtained in the construction described by mechining the scaling member and the seat as is usual in the art without the grindin here tofore deemed essential.

So long as the valve is in sealing; condition, the obdurate scat member 8 will remain in stressed condition. However, if the valve stem is unscrewed and the axial pres we on said member relieved, the stresses to which I have referred Will automatically, i. 0., autogei'iously, result in the shifting of said member into uus ed condition and Will bring about Within the member a return, at least in degree, toiverds its previous unstressed condition. As a result of this operation, the seal. will be automatically broken and the sealing member 9 may be readily returned, Without binding, int-o uusealing position permit the flow of fluid through the valve.

Experience has shown that when a valve is constructed in the manner described, a thoroughly efficient seal is produced. This seal truly repetitive in that the parts may be operated a great number of times with out developing leaky conditions.

In the preferred manner of carrying; out the invention, the seat member is preferably of ll-shaped cross section. That is to say, it embodies the combination of t v0 frusto conical sections having Walls which are substan tially straight. I have found that the best results are obtained when straight sided forms are employed. I am aware, however,

Lou er? that some of the advantages of the inveu tion may be obtained through the employment of a sealing element of obdurate mate rial enil'iodying other than straight sided forms, such for example as might rcsult from the employment of truncated, hollow, spherical or elliptical sections. but, in practice, they are not so desirable us the straight sided forms to which I have referred.

The tendency of the composite frusto couical seat member of obdurule materiel to autolgcnously return, or tend to return, to its original forru after compression is relieved, is of primary importance. is previ ously stated, such. u. retraction does not necessarily involw u reti'irn of the element to exactly the x 11m). form as prior to cou1pression, but to approximately that same form when considered from a practical standpoint. Such a. tendency to return or spring back satisfies the practical requirements of toe present in ventiou. The resilient duality of the obdurate material from White the composite hollow, fruoto conical element is mode lends its to repeated action and reaction through an extended period of operation and imparts to the valve the repei1itire characteristics to whico l have referred.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred, pram tical forms, but the invention is to be under stood as fully commensurate with the uppcnded claims.

The expression conical section, as found in the appended claims, is to be given asulhcienlly broad interpretation to include not only the straight sided frusto conical forin illustrated in the drawings, but all of the other forms of the invention herein referred to.

For pin-poses of illustration, the space between the external and internal peripheries 11 and 19. of the coniml el ment 8 and the su pplr mental seats and 23 is soown enlarged. In practice this spece reduced to a minimum, a close sliding fit being preferable between said surfaces, so that when axial pressure is applied to the conical element a very slight pressure will cause said surfaces to positively Tudor normal conditions a slight aerial compression is sullicient to accon'ipli.-;h a. satisfactory seal.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters latent is: r

1. In a vulve, a valve seat formed of obdurute material, said seat being in the form of ahollow COIHPOfsitQfPLlStO conical section and having an integral supporting Web extending therefrom intermediate its internal and external peripheries, said Web being axially mounted with respect to the valve port, a sealing inember axially mounted with respect to said seat, and means to one ate the sealing member in the line of its axis, said sealing member being provided with supplemental seats adapted to cooperate with the inner and outer peripheries; of the obdurate valve seat.

2. In a valve, a valve seat formed of obdnrate material, said seat con'iprising inner and outer coaxial hollow f-l'nsto conical seclions, with the inner edge of lhe outer seclion integral with the outer edge of the innersection, a supporting Web integral "ith both sections and coaxial with the valve port, a sealing member axially mounted with respectto the valve seat, and means for operating the sealing, member in the line. of its axis, said sealing member being provided with sn mleinenial seats cooper-able with the i'ree edges of the obdnrate valve seat and formed Within an annular aperture the base of which constitutes an abutment and which aperture is adapted to receive the valve seat and form a seal therewith.

3. In a valve, an annular valve seat of obdurate material and of V shaped cross section provided at its apex with an integral supporting web mounted in coaxial relation with the valve port, a sealing member axially mounted with respect to the valve seat and novided with an annular channel, the inner and outer cylindrical Walls of which constitute supplemental seats cooperable with the free edges of the valve seat and the base of which channel constitutes an abutment adapted to bear upon the valve seat to place the latter under compression, and means to operate the sealing member in the line of its axis to move it into; a position wherein the annular channel will house the free edges of the valve seat and the abutment of said channel will bear upon said seat to form a primary closure, and to thereafter axially compress the valve seat Within its elastic limit, to cross axially stress its peripheries into sealing engagement with the. supplemental seats.

Signed by me at Jersey City, this 21st day of April, 1926.

WYLIE G. WILSON. 

